A huge amount of photography always emerges from major bike races in Ireland with the likes of Sean Rowe, Toby Watson, Brendan Slattery, Maura Lynch Moriarty, Amy Norah Farrell and more always producing fantastic images.
But sometimes it can be the casual shots away from the action that also capture the essence of the event.
These four shots did it for us this time around; two Masters who go way back meeting up after all these years, a young hopeful spent on the road after a breakthrough ride, a happy family and a selfie.
1 Andrew O'Hara and Brian Hammond
There were many brilliant photos taken at the National Road Championships over the weekend, often capturing brilliant moments in the race. But four off the bike shots really stood out for us. Above, Masters riders Brian Hammond and Andrew O'Hara; former team mates meeting up again (Photo with many thanks to Rachel O'Hara)
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The shot above was taken by Rachel O'Hara and features her brother Andrew O'Hara and Brian Hammond.
Andrew rode for the Dublin Wheelers club for many years. He won some great races and was one of the best TT riders in the country in his day.
Hammond is also a former member of the wheelers but is now competing in the colours of Lucan CRC.
The two club mates' paths in life diverged, with strongman Hammond still living in Dublin and racing on the home scene but O'Hara having settled in Holland many years ago.
But with the success of the Masters races at the championships, its riders like these who are brought together again to catch up on championships weekend.
Meetings like this are commonplace on the one weekend in the year when the cycling community really does come from all four corners in the world to compete for the national titles or to support those taking part.
2 Michael O'Loughlin
The photo above of O'Loughlin is one of a major talent at the start of his career having ridden himself into the ground.
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The 19-year-old is in his first year as an U23 but he was 3rd in the elite event and took the U23 gold medal.
His collapsed state, slumped onto the wet road, really shows how hard these races are and how much these riders give of themselves when they meet all of the other best riders in the country.
O'Loughlin has already secured a place for this season with Team Wiggins and he looks to be a special talent, with a top 10 in the junior TT the World Road Championships to his name, in 2014.
This is a photo he'll cherish in the years ahead. And if he can achieve what the grapevine thinks he is capable of in the years to come, this would probably become an iconic image.
3 Caroline Kerley and Nicolas Roche
Nicolas Roche may be only recently married, but that didn't stop Caroline Kerley from getting as close as she could in Kilcullen at the weekend.
Caroline is usually on the other side of the camera taking photos of the action, but Roche is a big name and when she had the chance for a selfie she couldn't resist - and good for her!
It may be a fleeting moment but it demonstrates the importance of the big names in bringing glamour to the race.
There are a whole heap of riders who have brought fantastic value to the championships in recent years, none more so that Matt Brammeier. And men like Philip Lavery, Damien Shaw, the An Post lads and the even Eddie Dunbar in the past few years have animated the race.
But when we have WorldTour pros like Roche, Martin, Deignan and Brammeier it's vital a couple of them are in the race to bring that bit of added glamour. And for that reason it was great to see Roche and Brammeier present this weekend and racing so well.
4 The Boylan gang
You work for years to win races but sometimes when you capture a big goal you nearly get more enjoyment from seeing how much it means to others.
Here's a great shot that captures that spirit; women's road champion Lydia Boylan with her nearest and dearest gathered around her and beaming from ear to ear.
Big wins create a great buzz in teams, clubs and families. And they are also pay back for all of the support every successful rider gets from those around them.
What makes this photo special is not Boylan's win, it's the smiles it clearly put on the faces of the people around her; brilliant!
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